World War II sailor honoured for saving drowning pals after destroyer was sunk protecting supply ships buried at sea after dying at 101

A 101-YEAR-old war hero who served with the Royal Navy for more than 20 years has received a rare but fitting send-off, by being buried at sea.

Sailor Bryan Clowes passed away peacefully in his sleep after a distinguished service during World War Two.

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World War Two hero Bryan Clowes was buried at sea after dying at the age of 101

Before his body was taken to the burial site, which is eight miles off the coast of Newhaven, a service was held at Royal Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne, East Sussex, attended by his family and friends on Tuesday.

Helped by a team from the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS), Mr Clowes’ coffin, covered in a Union Jack flag and poppies, was taken to sea as the Last Post played.

The service was a touching tribute to war time sailor Mr Clowes, who joined the Marine Society aged 14 in 1930 for training, before transferring to the Royal Navy two years later.

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Bryan, pictured with wife Enid, was in the Royal Navy for 20 years

He climbed the ranks to Chief Petty Officer serving on the destroyer HMS Bedouin on the Arctic convoys, protecting merchant ships heading to Russia.

But while escorting merchant vessels carrying much needed supplies and food to the besieged island of Malta in the Mediterranean, the ship engaged in action with two larger Italian cruisers. Outgunned she sank with the loss of 28 men.

Mr Clowes was one of the 213 survivors picked up by the Italian Navy following the sinking in June 1942 and made a prisoner of war.

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He was later handed over to the Germans when the Italians switched sides.

The hero received the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his "bravery and tenacity" during the sinking of the destroyer in 1942 helping save the lives of other sailors.

His daughter Hilary Levitt, 62, said: “Dad would speak about his time as a POW. He told one tale about how they had to walk from one camp to another.

“All the navy chaps got together and swapped all their chocolate left over from their Red Cross packages for a pram that an Italian lady had. It was so they could put their belongings in it, rather than carry them.

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The dad-of-three served on the Arctic Convoys missions and was made a prisoner of war in Italy

“When they got to the new camp it was very untidy and messy. Being Navy they went and put it right. "That was their way of life.

“I don’t think they were treated too badly.”

Mr Clowes returned home in 1945, and in 1947, while on recuperation, he met his future wife Enid on Eastbourne pier during a dance.

The pair married a year later and had three children, Neil, Hilary and Simon. They went on to have four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mr Clowes stayed in the navy until 1955 and then joined the civil service, but remained in the Royal Navy Reserve.

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He received the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and Arctic Star

He also received the Arctic Star for his time involved in the Arctic Convoys and long service medals for his time in the navy and navy reserves.

Proud wife Mrs Clowes said: “The navy was his life. He mentioned being buried at sea and said he would like to do it. But we didn't think it was possible anymore. After he died we looked into it and found it was. He got his wish."

She added: “I am very proud of him. He did extremely well. He had a good life, and a happy one I think. We were married a very long time.”

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He was given a hero's send off and buried at sea off the coast of Newhaven

Speaking about her dad, Mrs Levitt said: "He was just lovely. He wasn't the life and soul of the party type but he would put himself out for anyone.

Mr Hughes said: “It is rare for someone to be buried at sea. We’ve only had two this year, one in January and then Mr Clowes. But given who he was and what he achieved, it was truly an honour to help out.”

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